The document provides background information on the 1993 film "Like Water for Chocolate" including its director, release date, and genre. It discusses the Mexican Revolution period in which the story is set and describes the cultural concepts of machismo and marianismo portrayed in the film through various examples. Finally, it poses questions for further analysis of these concepts as depicted in the characters and storyline.

1. LIKE WATER FOR
CHOCOLATE
By: Stephanie Echevarria & Romy Garcia

2. Background Information
 Director: Alfonso Arau
 Release Date: February 1993
 Genre: Drama, Romance
 Also Know As: Como Agua Para Chocolate
 Based on the novel written by Laura Esquivel

3. Mexican Revolution
 Started in 1910 when the leadership of Porfino
Diaz was challenged by Frnascisco I. Madero
 People of all classes were fighting in this war
 Everyone was dissatisfied with the leadership of
the country and wanted to be freed from Diaz
 This war marked the rise and fall of many
leaders
 War ends with the rise to presidency of Alvaro
Obregon
 However some violence continued well into the
1920’s

4. Machismo
 The idea of strong or aggressive masculine
pride
 Examples from the film:
 The need for a son to carry the family name
 When Pedro settled for Rosaura’s hand in
marriage. He would not give up on being close to
Tita.
 The priest telling Mama Elena she needs a man
in the house to protect her and the family.

5. Marianismo
 “Mary-ism”
 The idea that women must reflect the Catholic
deal of the Virgin Mary
 Examples from the film:
 Elena disowned Gertrudis when she found out
she worked out at a brothel.
 When Rosaura and Pedro got married, they used
a white sheet with a hole to have sex for
procreation only.
 Tita felt she couldn’t marry the doctor because
she was not a virgin.

6. Questions
 What are some other examples of Machismo
in the film?
 What are some other examples of Marianismo
in the film?
 Does Pedro fit the machismo profile?
 What is Mama Elena’s role in the machismo
vs. marianismo situation?

7. Hombres y Machos: Masculinity
and Latino Culture

8. 3 Explanations For
Hypermasculinity
 Direct result of the Spanish Conquest
 Obsessed with aggressive images of men from
war
 Emphasis on masculinity has been there since
the natives
 Imposed on the Indians just like Catholicism,
foods, and diseases were imposed on them.
 Pre-Columbian origin
 Aztecs were divided based on gender; Men’s job
was to wage war

9. Questions
 What are some reasons for strong masculinity
in today’s world?
 What are some traditional views on masculine
and feminine roles?
 How are traditional views in some what similar
to our views on gender roles today?
 How are they different?

10. The End

11. Bibliography
 Alfredo Mirandé,
Hombres y Machos: Masculinity and Latino Culture,
“Genesis of Mexican Masculinity” (p. 29 – 42),
“Masculinity: Traditional and Emergent Views”
(p. 81 – 99).
 http://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/mcbride/ws200/m
ex-davi.htm